By Matthew Jones
October 12 2003

Newcastle United midfielder Clarence Acuna is convinced that his exile from The Magpies' first team has ended his international career with Chile. Acuna has not made an appearance for Newcastle since February and has been transfer-listed by Sir Bobby Robson.

He blames that for him being dropped from the Chile squad for their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.

28-year-old Acuna is also angry with his national coach, Juvenal Olmos, who he insists has given him no explanation for leaving him out.

ACUNA SAID: "I can honestly say I don't know what's happened. Since playing against Costa Rica in June I've heard nothing from my national team.

"I'm surprised because I wanted to play in all Chile's World Cup qualifiers and worked hard once I was fit again in pre-season to prepare for them.

"I thought I would be called up for the match against China in August but I wasn't. I still thought I'd get the call against Argentina and Peru, but I didn't.

"Olmos has talked about picking people who are playing regularly for their clubs and I think that's what is counting against me.

"But then there are others who aren't playing for their clubs, haven't played for six months or don't even have a club, who are in the squad.

"I'm not one to over-dramatise things but that hurts.

"I just have to accept I'm no longer important to Chile. Now I will concern myself only with my club and my future."

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